Acupuncture for induction of labour

Smith CA, Crowther CA

Published Online:

January 21, 2009

There is insufficient evidence describing the efficacy of acupuncture to induce labour.

Induction of labour (getting labour started artificially) is common when the pregnancy is posing a greater risk to the pregnant woman or her unborn child. Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific energy points of the body and has been used to help induce labour and reduce labour pains. The review included three trials involving 212 women. The evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of this technique is limited, although small studies suggest women receiving acupuncture compared to standard obstetric care received fewer methods of induction. More research is needed.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

This is one of a series of reviews of methods of cervical ripening and labour induction using standardised methodology. The use of complementary therapies is increasing and some women look to complementary therapies during pregnancy and childbirth to be used alongside conventional medical practice. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body. The limited observational studies to date suggest acupuncture for induction of labour appears safe, has no known teratogenic effects, and may be effective. The evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of this technique is limited.

Objectives:

To determine the effects of acupuncture for third trimester cervical ripening or induction of labour.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (January 2008), the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field's Trials Register (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 4), AMED (1985 to November 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2007), EMBASE (1980 to November 2007), Dissertation Abstracts (1861 to November 2007), CINAHL (1982 to November 2007), the UK National Research Register, (November 2007) and the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (November 2007) and bibliographies of relevant papers.

Selection criteria:

Clinical trials comparing acupuncture used for third trimester cervical ripening or labour induction with placebo/no treatment or other methods listed above it on a predefined list of labour induction methods.

Data collection and analysis:

A strategy was developed to deal with the large volume and complexity of trial data relating to labour induction. This involved a two-stage method of data extraction.

Main results:

Three trials (212 women) were included in the review. Fewer women receiving acupuncture required use of induction methods (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.95) compared with standard care (147 women, relative risk 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.95). There were no differences between groups in the reporting of other outcomes.

Authors' conclusions:

There is a need for well-designed randomised controlled trials to evaluate the role of acupuncture to induce labour and for trials to assess clinically meaningful outcomes.

This record should be cited as:

Smith CA, Crowther CA. Acupuncture for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002962. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

January 31, 2008

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Primary Review Group:

Pregnancy and Childbirth Group

Health topics:

Pregnancy & childbirth > Induction of labour > Techniques

Complementary & alternative medicine > Pregnancy & childbirth > Induction of labour

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Acupuncture for induction of labour

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